The Boy Scouts of America place great emphasis on fellowship and duty to God. One of their achievements is to earn the religious emblem of your faith. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America bestows the St. Gregory Award on the Cub Scouts and Webelos who achieve this honor.Avedis Minassian, Zaven Minassian and Angelo Titoyan, are the first three scouts from St. Sarkis Armenian Orthodox Church, Dallas to earn the prestigious St. Gregory Illuminator Award. On January 10, 2016, Der Ghevond Ajamian, Pastor of St. Sarkis, presented these three proud boys with their medals.Over the course of one year, Angelo, Zaven and Avedis met with Der Ghevond regularly to work on the requirements of earning this special recognition. Together with Der Hayr and their parents, they discovered more about themselves, God, and the Armenian Church. These scouts discovered the history of the Armenian Church, learned about the Badarack (Divine Liturgy), attended church services and Sunday School. They learned about the symbols used to express the beliefs of the Armenian Church like the Dove, the All-Seeing eye of God and the Triangle. They prayed, wrote prayers, read the Acts of the Apostles and the Book of Psalms, discussed them, compared activities of the Early Church with our Church today, and made presentations. They learned about our St. Sarkis Church community and parish by listing and describing the different groups and activities of our church. They gained an understanding of how each group helps in fellowship, education, support and charity. The boys also talked and wrote about how a Christian puts his faith into action as demonstrated in service projects they have performed.This experience aided the scouts in "gaining a greater awareness of their place in our Church and t heir value as a Child of God within the community." It strengthened their faith in God, and "helped them practice their Duty to God by helping people around them. Maybe that's what Robert Baden Powell, who established scouting, meant when he said every scout should 'Do a Good Turn Daily'."Zaven, Avedis and Angelo, your community is so proud of you. Your hard work and perseverance, with the support and guidance of Der Ghevond, made it possible for you to be awarded the St. Gregory Award. All three boys are looking forward to earning their next Religious Award, the Mt. Ararat Award.God be with you Scouts and remember, always follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law!